BANGALORE, India, CMC-Emerging West Indies cricketer Ashley Nurse says he is working hard to establish himself as a genuine all-rounder following a blistering half century for West Indies A against India A on Sunday.
Nurse, known for his off spin bowling, blasted 57 off 50 balls with six boundaries and a six in a bold attempt to rescue his side in an uphill run chase during the first One Day match.
Despite his efforts, West Indies A suffered a 77 run loss to India A at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“Everyone knows my bowling is my strength and that is the one area that got me into the West Indies set-up,”said Nurse.
“But I can also bat and I have been working very hard at my batting as well. I want to get better with the bat and move up the ranks to become a ‘proper’ all-rounder.”
Nurse came to the crease after Narsingh Deonarine fell for the joint top-score of 57 at 176-7 in the 30th over, and proceeded with a swift tail end counter-attack.
Originally selected for just the limited-overs portion of the tour, Nurse was later named in the squad for the three four-day matches.
“This is a big tour for me. I see this as a second chance to get myself back to the West Indies team so I’m looking to take this opportunity with both hands,” he noted.
“I’m feeling confident and I feel well with the way I’m playing at the moment. Whenever I bowl I look to get wickets and whenever I go out to bat I look to get runs.”
Nurse made his debut for Barbados in the Regional 4-Day tournament and was among the leading wicket-takers.
He took a record match haul of 14-40 against the Windward Islands, ending with 45 wickets to emerge as a crucial member of the championship-winning team.
“No matter the format I just try to be consistent. I believe some people had me pigeon-holed as a limited overs bowler but I never let that worry me too much,” he said.
“I always knew I could bowl in any format. I just wanted to perform and be consistent and make the most of every opportunity. That’s exactly what I’m looking to do on this tour as well”.
West Indies A defeated India A by 55 runs on Tuesday to level the series.
